CHRIST’S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM
John 12:12-19
(Matt. 21:1-11;Luke 19:28-40;Mark 11:1-11)
Good News Christian Fellowship
BUCAS. Daraga Albay
April 9, 2006
Introduction
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem began the last week of His life. It is what we call Holy Week or Palm Sunday. He had spent the night before (the Sabbath evening) in Bethany with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha (Jn.12:1).
In today’s message we will not just look at the account of Christ’s Triumphal Entry as recorded in John, but we will also briefly look at the three Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke) to get the whole picture. If we read these four Gospel, we find sometimes that in certain event only one of them writes about it. ). For example, the Parable of Good Samaritan, only Luke records that Parable. Matthew, Mark and John doesn’t say anything about it. The Parable of Ten Bridesmaids’, only Matthew records this story.
Sometimes there are instances where two or three evangelist recorded: Of Jesus birth that found both in Matthew and in Luke. Jesus’ baptism is recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Now the event that what was called Christ’ Triumphal entry, though we can’t find that words in the Bible, was recorded by all four of them. You will notice that these four has a different view or angle of what had happen. But it is the same event. We will take a look at these four Gospel so we will get the whole picture of.
Illustration: Mayon Volcano is famous for its beauty and near perfect symmetry, and stands out as one of the most striking geographical features and tourist attractions of the country. We may view its beauty in different angle. We may look at it from the east side. We may have a privilege to view it from the Northwest side were the Mayon Rest House is located 3-4kms from the crater or the south side were the church steeple of Cagsawa, the only landmark left of that village serves as a reminder of lahars which buried several villages, for a different view, yet it is the same volcano in different angle.
That’s what the Scriptures do for us too. The same JESUS, look at from different angle.
So this afternoon we will take a look at one event in Jesus’ life, His last week of His life that is recorded not only in the Gospel of John, but all four of them.
In these particulars section of scriptures show us about JESUS claims to be LORD and SAVIOR; and the misconception or misunderstanding of the crowds regarding the LORD’S MESSIAHSHIP.
Here is then His final offer of HIMSELF as KING. And those who say, “Hosanna in the highest,” will cry “crucify Him” in less than a week.
No one seems to have truly understood the nature of this event, as John makes evident in the next verses that we will see later.
Jesus Christ’s Triumphal Entry is a call to recognize Him as King of kings, and submit to Him as Lord of all.
But most spectators on that day missed the significance of Christ’s kingly procession. Faulty perceptions of Christ and His kingdom led to dangerous conclusions. And it still does. What do you think of Christ, the King?
Crowds gathered for the Passover (John 11:55)
Now let’ read John 11:55.
Note the words “the great crowds”: a great number of pilgrims were swarming into Jerusalem for the Passover. Josephus, the Jewish historian, has written that during the Passover the population of the city frequently rose to more than three million people. There were no hotels or motels to accommodate these vast numbers, so people camped out on the hillsides, stayed with friends, or borrowed homes. The mass of people gathered for that event can hardly be imagined. An exciting vacation and carnival- like atmosphere was bound to prevail over such a mob of people. Imagine what it would be like in this crowded and jam-packed city of Jerusalem.
In verses 56-57 religious leaders “kept looking for Jesus.”
By this time Jesus had become notorious throughout the whole countryside. He was the sensation of the nation, so much so that the Pharisees had put out a warrant for his arrest. As far as the Sanhedrin was concerned, he was Public Enemy No. 1. He was a treat to them. His popularity got increased because of His raising up Lazarus from the tomb.
Those who witness the raising of Lazarus are telling others about this miracle. Lazarus is walking about, very much alive. As more and more pilgrims begin to arrive in Jerusalem from afar, they hear about what has happened to Lazarus. One question is on the lips and in the minds of everyone in Jerusalem: “Will Jesus makes an appearance during Passover?” The excitement and sense of expectation is at an all-time high. It sets the stage for the triumphal entry of our Lord, which is tied very closely to the raising of Lazarus and its impact on the city of Jerusalem.
John’s account of the “triumphal entry” is dominated by the miracle of the raising of Lazarus, which only his Gospel records. All of chapter 11 is brought to the reader’s attention in John 12:9-11, which links the enthusiasm of the crowds and the intensity of the opposition to the raising of Lazarus. The evidence was so great that the Sanhedrin said, “If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him.” (John 11:48)
Jesus spent the night in Bethany (12:1-11)
Now we will read the stories the other gospel writers omit, that Christ came to Bethany. The scene is set in these two verses. Jesus, acting precisely according to his own timetable, which is to say according to the Father’s timetable, arrives back in Bethany six days prior to the Passover.
In there we read concerning Mary and Martha. Jesus Christ spent the night before His Triumphal entry, in Bethany with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. He was now going to deliberately demonstrates that He was the Messiah, the One prophesied to be Savior of the world. And this explained the importance of being with Christ and understanding who He was.
Mary’s anointing on Jesus was an act of love and faith in the Lord Jesus. Very simply put, Mary anointed Jesus to show how deeply she loved Him and believed Him to be the true MESSIAH, the anointed one of God. It is not only just an act of service; it is actually an act of worship.
“Worship, the center of Christian life, can take various forms. Martha did what she was most comfortable doing -- she served”. (Ray Stedman)
Some commentators think that Mary knew what she was doing, that she understood what Jesus had been saying when He predicted His death. They feel that Mary grasped the fact when others did not. But this is unlikely. However, whether she knew it or not, Jesus took her act and applied it to His death (verse 7). In simple terms, Mary’s love and faith, and her gift and anointing were a witness of anticipation.
It is interesting that John is careful to point out in verse 3 that it was Jesus’ feet that she anointed. Normally one would not anoint the feet of a living person (rather the head—cf. Mk 14:3) but one could anoint the feet of a corpse while preparing it for burial. Thus Mary performed (unconsciously) a prophetic or symbolic action—one which Jesus understood but which the disciples almost certainly did not at the time.
Now John omits some details of this event which is very important for us to take into consideration for us to get the whole picture.
Every one of the four Gospels has an account of the so-called “triumphal entry.” Each account has its own details, its own emphasis, and its own significance.
Sent two disciples on a special mission (Matt.21:1-2; Mark 11:5-6)
Christ sent His two disciples into the city to secure a donkey and her young colt. The colt has to be one and no one sat on it. That’s what Matthew tells us. Mark and Luke had another details. They said that no one ever ride on this donkey (Mark 11:5-6; Luke 19:30) Jesus will be ever the first one to ride on this donkey.
The story continues. They went to that little town, exactly like He said. Mark said and Luke too of something else, “they went their way and found the colt. They found the colt tied to the door, and they loose them” (Mark 11:4)
Read verse 4-6.
You see what happens? This was done that it might fulfill which was spoken by the prophet.
Imagined if you are the owner of that colt, and that two stranger walk up to your door and unite your colt and walk away, you will say it too. “Why are you loosing that colt?
Just as the disciples say, the LORD needs it. That’s the power in the word of the LORD. The owners of the donkeys “gave them permission” to take them for the Lord’s use (Mark 11:6).
The crowd welcome Christ (Matt. 21:8; John 12:17-18)
A great multitude spread their garments in the way while others cut branches (of Palm trees) and spread it on the road. There are multitude that went BEFORE and that FOLLOWED. There were that followed Him, there were that behind Him. Who are these people? Where do they come from? Why they are all around Jesus?
See when you read the Gospel of John. You will find out that these people who were with Him, who are coming with Him from Bethany down the Mount of Olives, they are the people who had witness Jesus cast out Lazarus out of his grave and raised him from the dead. They bared record. They told everyone, “this is Jesus; He is the One who cast Lazarus out of his grave. This is Jesus, He’s COMING.”
Because of this, people meet Him (John 12:18). They meet Jesus Christ because they heard it, He had done this miracle. They are so excited to see Jesus coming. Why they’re there? Because of His MIRACLE. They follow Him. They come to Jesus. They cut down palm branches and spread it on the way. WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT? We will see the REASONS latter.
And the multitudes cried out “Hosanna” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!” (Verse 9)
“Hosanna” means “save now” or “save we pray.”
They shouted “blessed is He” which means blessed is He who is sent by God to save His people; blessed is He who is sent with the authority of God.
If you want to know what sound look like, then Luke tells us.
The crowd praised Him (Luke 19: 37)
“…the whole multitude began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for the mighty works that they had seen.” (Verse 37).
What they are saying?
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Verse 38)
A rejoicing multitude accompanying Jesus into Jerusalem!
Then when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred (move) and asked, “Who is this?” And they answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth.” (Matt.21:10-11)
The commotion of this celebration reaches the ears of those in the city of Jerusalem, and many of these citizens of Jerusalem join in with the rest in welcoming Jesus.
They misunderstood the coming of Christ (John 12:16)
However, John writes something that the other three didn’t mentioned about in their letter.
In Chapter 12:16, John makes a point of telling us that the disciples do not understand the meaning of this event until after the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord: (“His disciples did not understand these things when they first happened, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him and they had done these things to him.”)
They think of HIM as a conquering warrior, the One who will free them from Roman slavery and dominion.
The disciples’ reaction is clearly stated. They simply…
• Did not grasp the meaning and significance of what was happening
• Misunderstood Jesus’ Messiahship and Kingship.
• Thought that Jesus was to be a worldly king and earthly messiah.
They proclaimed Jesus to be “King who comes in the name of the Lord.” They thought the hour had arrived. Jesus was going to USHER in the Kingdom of God now…
• To free the Jews from Roman Dominion
• To set up throne of Jesus in Jerusalem from which the rule and reign of righteousness would be executed.
• To establish Israel as the leading nation of the earth.
The failed to see several things…
• They failed to see that Jesus Christ was riding a colt, coming as a King of Peace. The people in Jerusalem desired peace, but wanted it to come through conflict. Jesus was offering them peace in conflict. (John 14:27; 16:33)
• They failed to see that Jesus wished to bear the burden of men. He rode on the colt, an animal used in the service of men to carry their load or burden. Here is Jesus, presenting Himself as King who will carry our burdens. (Matthew 11:28)
• They failed to see that Jesus was riding the animal that symbolized sacredness, coming for the purpose of SAVING the people SPIRITUALLY.
• They failed to see that Jesus Christ enters humbly, meekly, voluntarily for wicked rebels; for totally undeserved lost sinners.
He enters Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, only just once, for the UNJUST. The HOLY ONE for the UNHOLY; the PURE ONE for the UNPURE; the only RIGTHEOUS ONE for the UNRIGHTEOUS.
Conclusion
How we are to focus our eyes to Jesus then, brothers and sisters?
Do you understand the coming of Jesus Christ into your life? Do you understand who is Jesus Christ? Do you understand why He comes in to your life?
However, how much like what happen today. Some sees HIM as the ONE who gives us material blessings, prosperity and freedom from pain to His people. What men fall to understand is that they must come to Jesus because they love Him, not because they can get something out of Him. They must come because of who He is, not because He blesses them with possession of this earth.
“It is our insistence that Jesus be NOW what the Bible says He will be and do THEN—in the future. We all wish to identify with the triumphant Jesus, who overthrows the wicked, and brings prosperity, peace, and freedom from pain to His people. But we do not wish to identify with the “suffering Savior.” Jesus’ words for us are not, “Take up your crown and follow Me,” but “Take up your cross and follow Me.” This is not to say that this life has no triumphs, no blessings, no deliverances from suffering and pain. It is to say that the blessings our Lord has promised at His second coming must not be demanded before they take place.” (Bob Deffinbaugh, Th. M.)
Do you recognize the CLAIM of Christ’s authority in your life?
The Lord comes to reveal that He was God, that He was not merely one of many whom we will choose. He is the ONLY true God. Christ made the claim in John 14, “I Am the Way the Truth and the Life…”
There is no other alternative. He is not one of many; He is the ONLY true God.
If you claim Christ as your Savior today, you ask yourself this question: What would you do with His command? Will you submit to Him? Will you honor Him with your obedience?
If you would like to be His disciples, you must do as He command. Sometimes young people have the idea, that so long as they obey, they fulfill the command. It is possible however, for you to obey the command without HONORING the person who gave the command.
It is one thing to obey and it is one thing to obey in right attitude.
Christ is far more anyone of us realized. Our God is far more yet anyone of us realized. We have much to learn, much growing to do.
If you and I would like to make an application between what the scriptures say who Christ really is, we will GROW as we should.
Jesus Christ is the KING and SAVIOR of the Church.
He wants us to TRUST Him, to RECEIVE Him and LOVE Him.
So the purpose of this Passion Week is that our attention must be on Christ Jesus on His atoning work, on His finished one. He is the one who said, “It is finished.” He did not add anything into His FINISHED one.
When someone ask you, “Who is Jesus”? Do you say then’ “This is Jesus. This is my Savior, who saved me from my sins.”
Jesus enters Jerusalem.
Is Jesus entered to your life now?
Let us pray.
